Two favorites for Niles

After a recent unofficial visit to Tennessee, Pierre Niles, the No. 40 ranked player in the class of 2006, indicated that the Volunteers were at the top of his school list. Since then, Niles, 6-foot-7, 250-pounds, has added another school alongside Tennessee at the top of the list. Rivals.com caught up with the combo forward from Ridgeway High School in Memphis, Tenn., at the Beach Ball Classic in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

"I have only taken an unofficial visit to Tennessee," said Niles. "I liked it a lot. I plan on taking official visits to Tennessee and Memphis and probably Georgia Tech.

"Right now Tennessee and Memphis are at the top. I love the Memphis fans, and I would have my family in the stands for the games. And I like both coaches at Tennessee and Memphis."

Ridgeway High School head coach Wesley Henning had a more comprehensive list of the schools that are calling on Niles.

"He has told me that he is wide open," said Coach Henning. "Arkansas, Florida and Alabama have been in the gym to watch him. Kentucky has called. Kansas and Georgia Tech have been in. And of course Memphis and Tennessee."

Even though Tennessee and Memphis are the only two schools that have offered Niles, Arkansas, Florida, Kansas and Auburn were all in attendance at the Beach Ball Classic watching Niles along with other prospects on hand. In his four games during the event, Niles averaged 18 points and 8 rebounds as Ridgeway knocked off top teams Mount Vernon (N.Y.), Brother Martin (La.) and Miami Senior (Fla.) before losing to 51-45 to Saint Mary's (N.Y.) in the championship game.

Niles looked a bit lighter and was moving more fluidly than he did this past summer on the AAU circuit and at the USA Basketball Festival. He handled the ball well and was most dangerous on offense when posting in the midrange area. Niles has the potential to be a three-point threat in the coming years, but his range extends to 17-feet right now. During the tournament, he was 1 for 8 from three.

Niles certainly has enough bulk to bang with anyone on the interior, but he is not very quick off his feet to contest shots. He recorded only two blocked shots in his four games during the tournament.

Whether he can play the small forward position in college depends on whether or not he has the foot speed to guard a small forward. Coach Henning feels he has that ability.

"I definitely think he can play the three," said Henning. "He can shoot it well, and he does have the foot speed. The problem is that you don't always see it. We are trying to teach Pierre to turn it on and leave it on. He always plays hard when we face tough competition, but it doesn't always happen at other times."

Although Tennessee and Memphis are on the top of his list with Georgia Tech right behind, Niles made it clear that the other schools were not wasting their time in recruiting him.

"No, they are not wasting their time," said Niles. "I still need to take my visits.

"I'm looking for a place with strong academics, and where I can start early on. I also want a coach that will push me and stay on me and help me get to that next level."

Planning to take one of the college prep tests in February, Niles carries a 2.8 GPA.